The millions of toys recalled this year due to lead and other hazards continue to have a long tail. While the toys may have been cleared from store shelves, they are still showing up in the donation boxes of charities across the country. These organizations and their volunteers are now tasked with carefully sorting and inspecting holiday donations to ensure the gifts they will provide to the nation’s families in need this year will not bring more harm than holiday cheer.

Some organizations have brought in extra volunteers to assist in the process while others, such as 150 Salvation Army locations in the south, have stopped accepting toy donations altogether. It’s a telling example of the damage that can result from an industry’s failure to effectively manage and monitor its supply chain, one that affects not only consumers, but a number of other indirect stakeholders, as well. The consequences may be unintentional, but they are no less dangerous and far reaching.